Jemiriye Adeniji
The Nigerian-born singer’s awards include the Afro Pop Queen at the All African Heritage Awards in Atlanta, Custodian of Yoruba Heritage Award in Dallas, and the Recognition Award for Community Building and Services at the African Caribbean Business Council Awards Dinner in Philadelphia. Adeniji was nominated for the Pittsburgh Emerging Artists of the Year in 2015. She is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and holds a professional diploma in advertising and promotions from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
How does it feel to be nominated? I feel very humbled and honored, I just want to cry with joy and gratitude.
What is your inspiration? I don’t even think of my work as an accomplishment. I just see everyday I’m given as an opportunity to do more and better than yesterday. I believe in my talent, and I’ve always known talent was not enough, you need a big drive, as well as an ‘I can do attitude.’
I see myself as a carrier of a message for mankind through my music and art. Even when I get tired and feel like quitting, I remind myself that someone out there will suffer if I fail to share my talent and pass my message along.
What are you engaged in?
I just started my non-for profit organization, Ewa Global Initiatives, an organization dedicated to empowering youth with artistic skills and showcasing the beauty of African art and culture. I just completed my first album — it has taken me almost 10 years — I’m super excited. My end of the year event titled ‘Black Elegance with Jemmy and friends’ was amazing.
What are your plans?
I want to positively impact as many lives as possible through my talent and organization. I’m drawn to helping young people reach their full potential. It’s a tough world out there, and trust me, we all need somebody. I want to use my voice to speak for the vulnerable, especially the less privileged, distressed young girls that see greatness and success as a dream that can never become a reality. I want them to know that you can be anything you want to if you believe, pray and work hard for it.
What does being part of the Diaspora mean to you? Being an African in the Diaspora means different things to me at different times. Accepting my style of music has been very inspiring and encouraging. Of course, it comes with a lot of challenges too – always having to explain my culture to people from a different backgrounds, races and classes. The fact that I’m able to teach and share my culture with the world is priceless. I’ve done workshops at universities around the globe talking about Africa especially the Yoruba culture. It’s been an honor representing our Motherland, Africa.”
Nominated by Kenny Johnson
